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OF 



WASHINGTON. 



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TOMB 



OF 



WASHINGTON, 



AT 



MOUNT VERNON 



PHILADELPHIA: 



CAREY AND HART. 



1840. 






Entered, according to tlie Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by Carey 
AND Hart, in the Clerk's Office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



C. Sherman & Co. Printers, 
19 St. James Street. 



TO THE 



HON. HENRY CLAY. 



It is with great pleasure that I dedicate to you 
a detailed account of the removal of the remains of 
WashinGi-ton, from their orifrinal frail tenement at Mount 
Vernon, to an imperishable sarcophagus, composed of 
a solid block of Pennsylvania marble. 

I am very happy in making you the depositary of 
this event, which, even in the course of a few years, I 
should have remembered but indistinctly, and which, I 
trust, will be interesting to you, and to all who venerate 
the character of this truly great man. 

In making the communication public, I have thought 
•proper to prepare the following pages in the form of a 
souvenir; which embraces, with other subjects, copies 



of the correspondence between the late Major Law- 
rence Lewis and Mr. John Struthers the sculptor and 
donor, and what will perhaps be as acceptable as any 
of the documents, an accurate view of the sarcophagus 
and of the family vault at Mount Vernon. 
With great esteem and regard. 

Yours sincerely and truly, 

WILLIAM STRICKLAND. 



CONTENTS. 



Correspondence . . . . .9 

Tomb of Washington .... 21 

Washington's Farewell Address . . .41 



CORRESPONDENCE 



RELATING TO 



A MARBLE SARCOPHAGUS, 



IN WHICH TO DEPOSIT 



THE REMAINS OF WASHINGTON. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



I.AAVRENCR LEWIS, ESQ. TO JOHN STRUTHERS. 

Audlcy, February 22d, 1 837. 
DEAR SIR, 

I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of 
the 7th inst. In reply to it, I can say, being the only 
surviving executor of General Washington, I have 
only my own feelings to consult ujjon a refusal or 
acceptance of your very liberal and polite oiler of a 
stone coffin as a depository for the remains of him 
" who was first in war, first in peace, and first in the 
hearts of his countrymen." 

The manner of making your ofler, the delicacy with 
which it is proffered, forbids a refusal to accept it, 



12 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



and I tender you, in behalf of every relative of this 
distincruishcd man, the most cordial and sincere thanks 
for the kind feeling which has actuated you upon this 
occasion. I leave it to your experience to make it in 
form and manner as you may think best. 
I am, dear sir, 

Very respectfully yours, 

LAWRENCE LEWIS. 

It is suggested the following, or something similar, 
should be put upon the marble coffin : 

THIS SARCOPHAGUS, 

CONTAININC, THE REMAINS OF 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, 

FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 
WAS MADE AND PRESENTED FOR THE PURPOSE, 



BY 

JOHN STRUTHERS, 

OF THILADELPHIA, 
THIS DAY OF A. D. 1H37. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 13 



JOHN STRUTIIERS TO LAWRENCE LEWIS, KSa. 

I'hiladolphia, March 4th, 1337. 
DEAR SIR, 

It is with sincere pleasure I acknowledge the 
receipt of your favour, granting me permission to 
execute the Sarcophagus. I have only to request 
that you will send me, as soon as convenient, the 
dimensions of the coffin which it is to contain. 
With sentiments of esteem, 

I remain, your most obedient, 

JOHN STRUTIIERS. 



JOHN STRUTHERS TO LAWRENCE LEWIS, ESQ. 

Philadelphia, August 15th, 1837. 
DEAR SIR, 

In the course of the ensuing week I shall have 
the Sarcophagus for your deceased relative finished, 
and ready for shipment. Will you oblige me by your 



14 CORRESPONDENCE. 

opinion as to the safest mode of forwarding it, and to 
whom you wish it consigned. I am entirely ignorant 
of the different routes, and being anxious that as httle 
transhipment may be made as possible, I trouble you 
for this information. I will also suggest the propriety 
of having a foundation built upon which to place the 
Sarcophagus, as the marble work is very heavy. 
The most convenient, and I believe the best plan 
would be, to sink four walls deep enough to prevent 
the action of the frost, and the possibility of their 
sinking any deeper after they are built; if they are 
made of bricks, nine inches will be wide enough for 
them, and as the base is seven feet, ten inches long, 
by three feet, one inch, in width, it will be necessary to 
have the walls near that size ; this is, however, left 
entirely to yourself On the receipt of your answer, I 
will take immediate measures to forward the work. 

Most respectfully yours, 

JOHN STRUTHERS. 



CORRESrONDEiNCE. 15 



LAWKENCE LEWIS, ESQ. TO JOH^' STRLTUEiiS. 

Audley, August 20th, 1837. 
DEAR SIR, 

Your esteemed favour of the 15th inst. only 
reached me last evening, owing to my visiting this 
upper country for air and exercise. 

I think it best for the Sarcophagus to be shipped 
from Philadelphia direct to Alexandria, District of 
Columbia, to the care of Mr. Edward Daingerfield, 
merchant of that place ; to him I have written 
requesting his particular attention to it, and the 
landing of it, which I feel confident he will do. I 
will thank you to give me the height of it, as I have 
now some doubts whether the door of the vault is 
suflicicntly large to admit it ; in this event, I shall have 
to enlarge it, and so soon as all is ready I will give 
you notice, and shall then be truly gratified by your 
presence when the remains of my illustrious relative 
and friend are placed in your liberal present. A 



IC CORRESPONDENCE. 

foundation shall be laid such as you recommend, and 
that without delay. 

I am truly and respectfully yours, 

LAWRENCE LEWIS. 

Please direct to me, Berry ville, Clark County. 
When you inform me of the height of the Sarcopha- 
gus, be pleased to give me some description of the 
ornamental part of it ; Doctor Coxe, in his letter to his 
daughter, says it is very handsome. This request is 
made to enable me to give some account of it to the 
many inquiries made of me respecting it. 



JOHN STRUTHERS TO LAWRENCE LEWIS, ESa. 

Philadelphia, September 18th, 1837. 
DEAR SIR, 

On Saturday last, the Sarcophagus was finished, 
and I took the liberty of inviting a few of my friends 
to see the carving, and they having mentioned it to 
others, I found that thousands flocked to see it. It 



CORRESPONDENCE. 17 

has also been noticed in the newspapers, which I 
exceedingly regret, but of course could not prevent. 
There will be no opportunity of forwarding it before 
Saturday next, as the packets sail but once a week. 
I will send it on that day. My friend, William Strick- 
land, who gave the design, will accompany me, and 
we will endeavour to be at Alexandria when the vessel 
arrives. 

Most respectfully yours, 

JOHN STRUTHERS. 



JOHN STRUTHERS TO LAWRENCK LEWIS, ESQ. 

I'hiladelphia, k?eptembpr — tli, 1837. 
RESPECTED SIR, 

I have this day shipped the boxes containing the 
Sarcophagus to Alexandria, care of Mr. E. Dainger- 
field, according to your directions, and have forwarded 
to him a bill of lading. It is shipped on board the 
sloop Johnston, Captain C. F. Norton, owned by Cap- 
tain Joseph Hand, of this city, who, when he under- 

3 



18 CORRESPOXDEXCE. 

Stood for whom the Sarcophagus was intended, 
promptly dechned any remuneration for its trans- 
portation, and, with Captain rsorton, he has made 
such arrangements as will effectually prevent its 
taking any injury on board of the vessel. 

The sloop will probably arrive on Saturday or 
Sunday next, and my friend and myself will leave 
here on Friday or Saturday, and hope to have the 
pleasure of seeing you on the Monday following. 

I will remain in Alexandria until the boxes are 
unloaded from the vessel, and on their way to Mount 
Vernon. Believe me, as ever, 

Your most obedient servant, 

JOHN STRUTHERS. 



LAWRENCE LEWIS, ESQ. TO JOHN STRUTHERS. 

Audley, September 26th, 1837. 
DEAR SIR, 

Your favour of the 18th inst. only reached me 
this moment. I hasten to acknowledge it. The delay 



CORRESPOXDE.VCE. 19 

arises from my being still at this place, detained by 
unavoidable circumstances, but hope to reach Alex- 
andria in time to receive the Sarcophagus, and have 
it conveyed to Mount Vernon. So soon as all is 
ready I will give you information of it, and I can 
truly say it will afford me much pleasure to sec 3Ir. 
Strickland with you. I have seen the account given 
of the Sarcophagus in the Philadelphia Inquirer ; it 
would appear from it that the Executive of the United 
States made the first appUcation to you for tlie cost 
of the work. This, I presume, must be a mistake of 
the printer. Will it not be well to set him right in 
this matter ? he could have had no knowledge of 
the transaction until its appearance in the Inquirer. 
Your favour, enclosing me a sketch of the Sarcopha- 
gus, came safely to hand, for which accept my thanks. 
Most respectfully yours, 

LAWRENCE LEWIS. 



TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 



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TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 



Mount Vernon- is situated on the west bank of the 
Potomac, about sixteen miles below the city of Wash- 
ington, and commands from its elevated position a 
veiy extensive and picturesque view of the various 
windings of this beautiful river, both above and below 
the point upon which we now see the unostentatious 
but dilapidated mansion of Washino-ton. 

The whole estate originally consisted of ten thou- 
sand acres, a small portion of which was cultivated 
in the lifetime of this great man; and about three 
thousand acres of this tract were granted to his 
nephew and friend, Major Lewis, the last of Wash- 
ington's executors. 

It was called Mount Vernon after Admiral Vernon, 
then high admiral in the British navy. Washington 



24 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 

had a brother in this navy, and made appUcation 
through him to the admiral for a commission, which 
was granted, but owing to the anxious sohcitations of 
his mother, he decUned the appointment, and was con- 
tent to push his fortunes in the field at home. 

The mansion is constructed of frame-work, two 
stories in height, presenting a piazza or portico of 
square panelled pilasters or piers, extending across 
the whole eastern or river front. It lias an observa- 
tory and cupola in the centre of the roof, and exhibits, 
in any position in which it may be viewed, the out- 
lines and semblance of the residence of a gentleman. 

The lawn in the rear or western front is flanked 
on the north and south by kitchen gardens and 
conservatories, containing to this day many rare and 
valuable exotics, presented to Washington during 
his lifetime. The distribution of the rooms of the 
mansion on the ground floor is very simple and con- 
venient. 

A spacious hall is formed in the centre of the build- 
ing upon the same level with the pavement of the 
portico, which is of wide dimensions, laid with tes- 



/" 



TOMB OF WASHINGTON-. 25 



O 



selated Italian marble, and communicates with three 
parlours, with the main stairway leading to the 
chambers of the second story, and with the obser- 
vatory. 

The wing to the south of the main building contains 
the library and breakfast-room, with a narrow stair- 
case leading to Washington's private study on the 
second floor. Among the many curiosities and relics 
contained within the walls of Mourn Vernon, we were 
shown an ancient map of Virginia, representing in 
etched outlines all the territory between the Atlantic 
Ocean and the waters of the Ohio, upon which are 
to be seen many pencilled traces and marks from 
Washington's own hand, of the route which he tra- 
versed during Braddock's disastrous and fatal cam- 
paign against the Indians. His spyglass, sword, and 
other weapons of a military kind, are objects of great 
curiosity; likewise the key of the Bastile, which is 
enclosed in a glass case and suspended on the wall 
in the hall of entrance. 

His bust, an original by Houdon, stands upon a 
bracket, over the door of entrance into the library. 

4 



2G TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 

This work of art possesses much interest, from the 
circumstance of its having been executed from the Ufe, 
by a mask in plaster. It conveys a truly characte- 
ristic and strongly-marked expression, and is, without 
doubt, the best hkeness extant. 

The fireplace of the drawing-room is decorated with 
a rich Italian mantel, presented, in the year 1785, to 
General Washington, by Samuel Vaughan, Esq. of 
London, the father of the venerable and highly re- 
spected John Vaughan of Philadelphia. It is composed 
of variegated Sienna marble, sculptured with a bold 
chisel, and represents on the tablets of the frieze the 
most prominent objects of agriculture and husbandry, 
in chaste and beautiful bas-relief. 

The remains of the old family vault are about three 
hundred yards to the south of the mansion, situ- 
ated on tiie declivity of a deep dell, and surrounded 
by trees of large growth, and consist simply of a 
narrow excavation in the bank of earth, arched over 
with brick, and covered with a deep sod. 

Akhough the removal of the vault was contem- 
plated by Washington himself, some time previous 



TOMB OF WASHI.\GTO?f. 27 

to his death, it was not finally determined on until 
an attempt was made, many years ago, to dese- 
crate the remains of the illustrious deceased. The 
vault was entered, and a scull and some bones were 
carried off, but the robber was discovered, and the 
booty surrendered ; they formed no part of the remains 
of Washington. 

It is not generally known that about nine years ago 
a new tomb was constructed at Mount Vernon upon 
the site pointed out and especially selected by General 
Washington. The will of this great man, with refe- 
rence to the removal of the old family vault, has 
been most scrupulously complied with, through the 
agency of his then only surviving executor, Major 
Lawrence Lewis, the nephew and friend of the illus- 
trious deceased. 

This structure consists simply of an excavation made 
partly in the side of a steep, sloping hill, which has a 
southern exposure upon a thickly-wooded dell. The 
walls are built of brick, and arched over at the height 
of eight feet above the level of the ground. The front 
of the tomb-house is roughcast, and has a plain iron 



28 TOMB OF WASHINGTON". 

door, inserted in a strong freestone casement ; over 
the door is placed a sculptured stone panel, upon which 
are inscribed these impressive words : 

"l AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE; HE THAT 

EELIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, 

YET SHALL HE LIVE." 

At a small distance from the walls of the tomb, 
on all sides, there is a surrounding enclosure of brick- 
work, elevated to a height of twelve feet, and guarded 
in front with an iron gateway, opening several feet in 
advance of the vault door. This gateway is flanked 
with pilasters, surmounted by a stone cornice and 
coping, covering a pointed gothic arch, over which 
is sculptured, upon a plain slab, inserted in the brick- 
work : 

" WITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE REST THE REMAINS OF GENERAL 
GEORGE WASHINGTON." 

It was with no ordinary feeling of solemn gratifica- 
tion that we approached this hallowed spot, nor were 
our minds less impressed with veneration and reve- 
rence in beholding the rude and perishable fabric which 
contained the ashes of him that was " first in war, 



TOMB OF WASHINGTOX. 29 

first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country- 
men." 

The keys of the vault were in the possession of a 
middle-aged mulatto, the steward of Mount Vernon, 
to whom we were introduced by a letter given us by 
Mr. John Augustin Washington, whom we accidentally 
met at Alexandria, while on our way from Washington 
City to the family seat, for the purpose of making ar- 
rangements for the deposit of the marble Sarcophagus 
within the vault. We were accompanied to the spot 
by the steward, and the grated doors were opened for 
the first time in the lapse of seven years. 

The first object which struck our view upon the 
threshold of the vault was the scull of a young man, 
encrusted over with a green mould, and surrounded 
on all sides with the decayed fragments of coffins, 
which appeared as though they had been thrown 
together promiscuously, or had fallen in, exposing in 
many places the bones of various parts of the human 
body. The air of the vault was foul. The decayed 
wood was dripping with moisture, which had found 
its way through the grass covering that overlaid the 



30 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 

brick arch above. The shmy snail gUstened in the 
Hght of the door opening. The brown centipede was 
disturbed by the admission of the fresh air, and the 
mouldy cases of the dead gave out a pungent and 
unwholesome odour. We clambered over these ob- 
stacles into the deep recess, and found the coffin of 
Washington in the rear of the vault, with those of 
Mrs. Washington and Judge Washington to the right 
and left of it, with several others of the deceased 
members of the family, piled away in great disorder 
and confusion. 

From an inspection of this unpleasant scene, we 
ascertained two important circumstances. The one, 
that the exterior iron doorway was too small to admit 
the entrance of the marble Sarcophagus ; the other, 
that if the door had been sufficiently wide, the damp- 
ness of the vault itself would have destroyed, in the 
course of time, the texture of the marble, and defaced 
the richness and beauty of the exterior sculpture. We, 
therefore, retraced our steps, and left the vault with 
no ordinary feelings of disappointment and mortifica- 
tion that such should have been the result of our visit. 



TOiMB OF WASHINGTON. 31 

We returned to tlic mansion, and reflected upon the 
best plan for carrying into execution the safe enshrine- 
nient of the body in some other place than the interior 
of the vault. In the mean time, Mr. Augustin Wash- 
ington had arrived at Mount Vernon, and the facts 
were detailed to him. This young gentleman was 
found to be very amiable and intelligent. He informed 
us that Major Lewis was at his upper farm in Vir- 
ginia, and would be at Mount Vernon in a day or 
two. After spending the night at Mount Vernon, we 
repaired to Washington City to await the arrival of 
the Sarcophagus, which had been shipped at Phila- 
delphia on the preceding w^eek. 

Upon the 5tli of October the Sarcophagus arrived, 
and was landed at Alexandria, whither we repaired, 
and made arrangements for its transportation to Mount 
Vernon the next day. 

Major Lewis had also arrived at Alexandria, and 
we were introduced to him and his son Lorenzo. 
Imagine a figure stately and erect, upwards of six 
feet in height, with a keen, penetrating eye, a high 
forehead partially covered with the silvery locks of 



^ 



32 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 

seventy winters, intelligent and bland in expression, 
in movement graceful and dignified, and you will 
have the portraiture of the early companion and friend 
of the immortal Washington. 

Upon a consultation with this gentleman, after 
stating to him the difficulties which would attend the 
placing of the Sarcophagus in the damp vault, and the 
inappropriateness of the situation for such a work of 
art, and upon suggesting to him a plan for construct- 
ing a suitable foundation on the right of the entrance 
gate, on the outside of the vault, between it and the 
surrounding walls ; and the practicability of extend- 
ing the side walls of the vault to the surrounding 
enclosure, and arching it over beyond any contact 
with the soil of the sloping hill, taking care to guard 
the vaulted chamber with a metallic roof, with an 
additional grille of iron bars in front, and other fasten- 
ings and securities, as guards against idle curiosity 
and the chances of attempt at desecration, he consented 
to the plan, and we set out from Alexandria with the 
sculptor and the workmen who had been engaged in 
the execution and conveyance of the Sarcophagus. 



TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 33 

A large wagon and two drays were found necessary 
to convey these marbles from Alexandria to Mount 
Vernon. During the time occupied in this business 
we were invited to visit Wood Lawn, the seat of 
Major Lewis, a beautiful spot, but three miles from 
Mount Vernon, upon which is situated a good sub- 
stantial mansion, sequestered in the midst of a dark 
wood, with an occasional opening cut in the forests, 
through which a view of the water of the Potomac, 
and of the cupola of Mount Vernon, refreshed the 
sight, and gave to our minds a strong impression of the 
skill and rural taste of Washington, the master spirit, 
under whose auspices Freedom and the fields were 
made to bloom. 

On the morning of the 7th we repaired to Mount 
Vernon, and found the Sarcophagus had arrived, and 
was deposited in front of the enclosure; and the work- 
men, assisted by a few of the domestics belonging to 
the household, were directed to dig out a suitable 
foundation upon which to wall up and place it, on 
the right of the entrance gate. During the ope- 
ration the steward was directed to procure lights 

5 



34 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 

for the purpose of entering the vault, and preparing 
the way for the removal of the body to the out- 
side of the vault. The gate of the enclosure was 
temporarily closed, and upon the opening of the vault 
door we entered, accompanied by Major Lewis and 
his son. The coffin containing the remains of Wash- 
ington was in the extreme back part of the vault ; and 
to remove the case containing the leaden receptacle, 
it was found necessary to put aside the coffins that 
were piled up between it and the doorway. After 
clearing a passageway, the case, which was much 
decayed, was stripped off, and the lead of the hd 
was discovered to have sunk very considerably from 
head to foot ; so much so, as to form a curved line of 
four to five inches in its whole length. This settlement 
of the metal had perhaps caused the soldering of the 
joints to give way about the upper or widest part of the 
coffin. At the request of Major Lewis this fractured 
part was turned over on the lower part of the lid, ex- 
posing to view a head and breast of large dimensions, 
which appeared, by the dim light of the candles, to 
have suffered but little from the effects of time. The 



TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 35 

eye-sockets were large and deep, and the breadth 
across the temples, together with the forehead, ap- 
peared of unusual size. There was no appearance of 
grave-clothes ; the chest was broad ; the colour was 
dark, and had the appearance of dried flesh and skin 
adhering closely to the bones. We saw no hair, nor 
was there any offensive odour from the body, but we 
observed, when the coffin had been removed to the 
outside of the vault, the dripping down of a yellow 
liquid, which stained the marble of the Sarcophagus. 
A hand was laid upon the head and instantly removed ; 
the lead of the lid was restored to its place; the 
body, raised by six men, was carried and laid in the 
marble coffin, and the ponderous cover being put on 
and set in cement, it was sealed from our sight on 
Saturday, the 7th day of October, 1837. 

Immediately after the performance of this melan- 
choly ceremony, the Sarcophagus was cased up with 
plank to prevent any injury being done to the carving 
during the operation of enlarging the vault. 

The relatives, consisting of Major Lewis, Lorenzo 
Lewis, John Augustin Washington, George Washing- 



36 TOMB OF \VASHINGTO?r. 

ton, the Reverend Mr. Johnson and lady, and Mbs 
Jane Washington, then retired to the mansion. 

The deepest feelings of reverence pervaded this 
assembly. The descendants of this illustrious man 
had the inexpressible satisfaction of seeing his ashes 
imperishably secured from the slow but sure attack of 
time. 

It is here proper to remark, that when the wooden 
case was removed from the leaden coffin, a silver 
breast-plate, in the shape of the old continental shield 
or escutcheon* was found, upon which was engraved 
in Roman characters, the date of the birth and death 
of Washington. This escutcheon was about the size 
of the palm of a hand, with an ornamental chased 
border or margin. It had evidently been attached to 
the leaden lid, but, from some cause or other, it had 
given way, and was found between the fragments of 
the exterior wooden case or covering. 

During a period of thirty-eight years the wooden 
coffin had been thrice renewed, and the relatives of 

* The common impression of a heart. 






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TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 37 

this great man have, with a becoming and laudable 
desire, sought for a more permanent and imperishable 
receptacle in which to enshrine the ashes of the great 
benefactor of his country. 

The construction of the Sarcophagus is of the 
modern form, and consists of an excavation from a 
solid block of marble, eight feet in length, three feet 
in width, and two feet in height, resting on a plinth, 
which projects four inches round the base of the 
coffin. The lid or covering stone is a ponderous 
block of Itahan marble, emblazoned with the arms 
and insignia of the United States, beautifully sculp- 
tured in the boldest relief ^The design occupies a large 
portion of the central part of the top surface, or lid, 
and represents a shield, divided into thirteen perpen- 
dicular stripes, which rests on the flag of our country, 
and is attached by cords to a spear, embellished with 
tassels, forming a background to the shield, by which 
it is supported. The crest is an eagle with open wings 
perching upon the superior bar of the shield, and is 
in the act of clutching the arrows and olive branch. 
Between these armorial bearings and the foot of the 



38 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 

coffin, upon the plain field of the lid, is the bold and 
deeply sculptured name of 

WASHINGTON. 

The foot of the coffin is inscribed as follows : 

BY THE PERMISSION OF LAWRENCE LEWIS, ESQ., THIS SAR- 
COPHAGUS OF WASHINGTON WAS PRESENTED EY 
JOHN STRUTHERS, OF PHILADELPHIA, 
MARBLE MASON. 

Mr. Struthers, a citizen of Philadelphia, was applied 
to for the construction of a marble Sarcophagus. This 
gentleman, with a spirit of liberality, prompted by a 
deep feeling of regard and reverence for the character 
of Washington, solicited of Mr. Lewis the privilege to 
construct and present to the relatives of Washington a ' 
coffin composed of Pennsylvania marble, which has 
been executed with surpassing boldness and beauty of 
sculpture, for which he deserves the thanks of the 
community at large. 

All the facts of the life and history of Washington 
are now, or ought to be, known to all the human 



TOMR OF WASHINGTON. 39 

family, and it is not the intention of the author of 
these reminiscences to claim attention from the public, 
in any attempt to eulogize his character, who was 

" Great, without pomp, without ambition, brave. 
Proud, not to conquer fellow-men, but save." 

The proud fleet of the British, when ascending the 
Potomac during the last war, in passing with hostile 
front and bearing the hallowed spot of Mount Vernon, 
paused in their course ; their officers and men were 
uncovered, amid the smoke of the minute gun, as a 
respectful token of their veneration for the memory of 
Washington. 



The remains of Mrs. Washington are now deposited 
in a marble coffin, sculptured in a plain manner by the 
same chisel, and occupies the space on the left of the 
gateway, or entrance to the tomb. 



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WASHINGTON'S 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 



FELLOW-CITIZENS, 

The period of a new election of a citizen to admi- 
nister the executive government of the United States 
being not far distant, and the time actually arrived 
when your thoughts must be employed in designating 
the person who is to be clothed with that important 
trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may con- 
duce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, 
that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have 
formed, to decline being considered among the number 
of those out of whom a choice is to be made. 

I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to 
be assured, that this resolution has not been taken with- 
out a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining 



44 Washington's farewell address. 

to the relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his 
country ; and that, in withdrawing the tender of service 
which silence in my situation might imply, I am influ- 
enced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest; 
no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness; 
but am supported by a full conviction that the step is 
compatible with both. 

The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in the 
office to which your sufii'ages have twice called me, 
have been an uniform sacrifice of inclination to the 
opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared 
to be your desire. I constantly hoped, that it would 
be much earlier in my power, consistently with 
motives which I was not at liberty to disregard, to 
return to that retirement from which I had been 
reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination 
to this, previous to the last election, had even led to 
the preparation of an address to declare it to you ; but 
mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical 
posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the 
unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, 
impelled me to abandon the idea. 



WASIimCTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 45 

I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external 
as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of 
inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty 
or propriety ; and am persuaded, whatever partiality 
may be retained for my services, that in tlie present 
circumstances of our country, you will not disapprove 
my determination to retire. 

The impressions with which I first undertook the 
arduous trust, were explained on the proper occasion. 
In the discharge of this trust, I will only say, that I 
have, with good intentions, contributed towards the 
organization and administration of the government, 
the best exertions of which a very fiiUible judgment 
was capable. Not unconscious, in the outset, of the 
inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own 
eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has 
strengthened the motives to diflidence of myself; and 
every day the increasing weight of years admonishes 
me more and more, that the sliade of retirement is as 
necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied that 
if any circumstances have given peculiar value to 
my services, they were temporary; I have the con- 



46 Washington's farewell address. 

solation to believe, that while choice and prudence 
invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does 
not forbid it. 

In looking forward to the moment which is intended 
to terminate the career of my public hfe, my feelings 
do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledg- 
ment of that debt of gratitude which I owe to my 
beloved country, for the many honours it has con- 
ferred on me ; still more for the steady confidence 
with which it has supported me ; and for the oppor- 
tunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my 
inviolable attachment, by services faithful and per- 
severing, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. 
If benefits have resulted to our country from these 
services, let it always be remembered to your praise, 
and as an instructive example in our annals, that under 
circumstances in which the passions, agitated in every 
direction, were liable to mislead, amidst appearances 
sometimes dubious, vicissitudes of fortune often dis- 
couraging, in situations in which not unfrequently 
want of success has countenanced the spirit of criti- 
cism, the constancy of your support was the essential 



Washington's farewkll address. 47 

prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the plans by 
which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with 
this idea, 1 shall carry it with me to the grave, as a 
strong incitement to unceasing vows that Heaven may 
continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence ; 
that your union and brotherly affection may be per- 
petual ; that tlie free constitution, which is the work 
of your hands, may be sacredly maintained ; that its 
administration in every department may be stamped 
with wisdom and virtue ; that, in fine, the happiness 
of the people of these states, under the auspices of 
liberty, may be made complete, by so careful a pre- 
servation, and so prudent a use of this blessing, as will 
acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the 
applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation 
which is yet a stranger to it. 

Here perhaps I ought to stop. But a solicitude for 
your welfare, which cannot end but with myself, and 
the apprehension of danger, natural to that solicitude, 
urge me, on an occasion like the present, to offer to 
your solemn contemplations, and to recommend to your 
frequent review, some sentiments which are the result 



48 Washington's farewell address. 

of much reflection, of no inconsiderable observation, 
and which appear to me all-important to the perma- 
nency of your felicity as a people. These will be 
offered to you with the more freedom, as you can only 
see in them the disinterested warnings of a parting 
friend, who can possibly have no personal motives to 
bias his counsel. Nor can I forget, as an encourage- 
ment to it, your indulgent reception of my sentiments 
on a former and hot dissimilar occasion. 

Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every liga- 
ment of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is 
necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment. 

The unity of government which constitutes you one 
people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so ; for it 
is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, 
the support of your tranquillity at home, your peace 
abroad ; of your safety, of your prosperity ; of that 
very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is 
easy to foresee, that, from different causes and from 
different quarters, much pains Mdll be taken, many 
artifices employed to weaken in your minds the con- 
viction of this truth ; as this is the point in your 



Washington's farewell address. 49 

political fortress against which the batteries of internal 
and external enemies will be most constantly and ac- 
tively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, 
it is of infinite moment that you should properly 
estimate the immense value of your national Union to 
your collective and individual happiness ; that you 
should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable 
attachment to it ; accustoming yourselves to think and 
speak of it as of the palladium of your poHtical safety 
and prosperity ; watching for its preservation with 
jealous anxiety ; discountenancing whatever may sug- 
gest even a suspicion that it can in any event be 
abandoned ; and indignantly frowning upon the first 
dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of 
our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred 
ties which now hnk together the various parts. 

For this you have every inducement of sympathy 
and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a com- 
mon country, that country has a right to concentrate 
your affections. The name of American, which belongs 
to you, in your national capacity, must also exalt the 
just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation de- 

7 



50 Washington's farewell address. 

rived from local discriminations. With slight shades 
of diflerence, you have the same rehgion, manners, 
habits, and political principles. You have, in a com- 
mon cause, fought and triumphed together : the inde- 
pendence and liberty you possess are the work of joint 
councils and joint efforts, of common dangers, suffer- 
ings, and successes. 

But these considerations, however powerfully they 
address themselves to your sensibility, are greatly out- 
weighed by those which apply more immediately to 
your interest. Here every portion of our country 
finds the most commanding motives for carefully 
guarding and preserving the union of the whole. 

The North, in an unrestrained intercourse with the 
South, protected by the equal laws of a common 
government, finds, in the productions of the latter, great 
additional resources of maritime and commercial enter- 
prise, and precious materials of manufacturing indus- 
try. The South, in the same intercourse, benefiting 
by the agency of the North, sees its agriculture grow, 
and its commerce expanded. Turning partly into its 
own channels the seamen of the North, it finds its par- 



Washington's farewell address. 51 

ticular navigation invigorated ; and while it contri- 
butes, in diflerent ways, to nourish and increase the 
general mass of the national navigation, it looks for- 
ward to the protection of the maritime strength to 
which itself is unequally adapted. The East, in a like 
intercourse with the West, already finds, and in the 
progressive improvement of interior communications, 
by land and water, will more and more find a valuable 
vent for the commodities which it brings from abroad, 
or manufactures at home. The West derives from the 
East supplies requisite to its growth and comfort ; and 
what is perhaps of still greater consequence, it must 
of necessity owe the secure enjoyment of indispensa- 
ble outlets for its own productions to the weight, influ- 
ence, and the future maritime strength of the Atlantic 
side of the Union, directed by an indissoluble com- 
munity of interest as one nation. Any other tenure by 
which the West can hold this essential advantage, 
whether derived from its own separate strength, or 
fi'om an apostate and unnatural connexion with any 
foreign power, must be intrinsically precarious. ■"• 
While, then, every part of our country thus feels an 



52 Washington's farewell address. 

immediate and particular interest in Union, all the 
parts combined cannot fail to find in the united mass 
of means and efforts greater strength, greater resource, 
proportionably greater security from external danger, 
a less frequent interruption of their peace by foreign 
nations ; and, what is of inestimable value, they must 
derive from Union an exemption from those broils 
and w-ars betw^een themselves, which so frequently 
afflict neighbouring countries not tied together by the 
same government ; which their own rivalships alone 
would be sufficient to produce, but which opposite 
foreign alliances, attachments, and intrigues would 
stimulate and embitter. Hence, likewise, they will 
avoid the necessity of those overgrown military esta- 
blishments, which, under any form of government, are 
inauspicious to liberty, and wdiich are to be regarded 
as particularly hostile to Republican Liberty ; in this 
sense it is that your Union ought to be considered as 
the main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the 
one ought to endear to you the preservation of the 
other. 

These considerations speak a persuasive language 



Washington's farewell address. 53 

to every reflecting and virtuous mind, and exhibit the 
continuance of the Union as a primary object of pa- 
triotic desire. Is there a doubt whether a common 
government can embrace so large a sphere ? Let ex- 
perience solve it. To listen to mere speculation in 
such a case were criminal. We are authorized to 
hope that a proper organization of the whole, with the 
auxiliary agency of governments for the respective 
subdivisions, will afford a happy issue to the experi- 
ment. 'Tis well worth a fair and full experiment. 
With such powerful and obvious motives to Union, 
affecting all parts of our country, while experience 
shall not have demonstrated its impracticability, there 
will, also, be reason to distrust the patriotism of those, 
who, in any quarter, may endeavour to weaken its 
bands. 

In contemplating the causes which may disturb our 
Union, it occurs as matter of serious concern, that any 
ground should have been furnished for characterizing 
parties by geographical discriminations, " Kortliern and 
Southern, Atlantic and Western;''^ whence designing men 
may endeavour to excite a belief, that there is a real 



54 Washington's farewell address. 

difference in local interests and views. One of the 
expedients of party to acquire influence, within par- 
ticular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and 
aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves 
too much against the jealousies and heart-burnings 
which spring from these misrepresentations ; they tend 
to render alien to each other those who ought to be 
bound together by fraternal affection. The inhabi- 
tants of our western country have lately had a useful 
lesson on this head : they have seen in the negotiation 
by the Executive, and in the unanimous ratification by 
the Senate, of the treaty with Spain, and in the uni- 
versal satisfaction at that event, throughout the United 
States, a decisive proof how unfounded were the sus- 
picions propagated among them, of the policy in the 
general government and in the Atlantic states un- 
friendly to their interests in regard to the Mississippi ; 
they have been witnesses to the formation of two 
treaties — that with Great Britain, and that with Spain 
— which secure to them every thing they could desire, 
in respect to our foreign relations, towards confirming 
their prosperity. Will it not be their wisdom to rely, 



Washington's farewell address. 55 

for the preservation of these advantages, on the Union 
by which they were procured'/ Will they not hence- 
forth be deaf to those advisers, if such there are, who 
would sever them from their brethren, and connect 
them with aliens 1 

To the efhcacy and permanency of your Union, a 
government for the whole is indispensable. No alli- 
ances, however strict, between the parts, can be an 
adequate substitute; they must inevitably experience 
the infractions and interruptions which all alliances, 
in all times, have experienced. Sensible of this mo- 
mentous truth, you have improved upon your first 
essay, by the adoption of a constitution of govern- 
ment, better calculated than your former for an 
intimate union, and for the efiicacious management 
of your common concerns. This government, the 
offspring of our own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, 
adopted upon full investigation and mature delibera- 
tion, completely free in its principles, in the distribution 
of its powers, uniting security with energy, and con- 
taining, within itself, a provision for its own amend- 
ment, has a just claim to your confidence and your 



56 Washington's farewell address. 

support. Respect for its authority, compliance with 
its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties en- 
joined by the fundamental maxims of true Liberty. 
The basis of our political system, is the right of the 
people to make and to alter their constitution of govern- 
ment ; but the constitution which at any time exists, till 
changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole 
people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea 
of the power and right of the people to establish govern- 
ment, presupposes the duty of every individual to obey 
the established government. 

All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all 
combinations and associations, under whatever plausi- 
ble character, with real design to direct, control, coun- 
teract, or awe the regular deliberations and action of 
the constituted authorities, are destructive to the funda- 
mental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve 
to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extra- 
ordinary force ; to put in the place of the delegated 
will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small 
but artful and enterprising minority of the community ; 
and according to the alternate triumphs of difterent 



Washington's farewell address. 57 

parties, to make llic public administration the mirror oi' 
tiie ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, 
rather than the organ of consistent plans digested by 
common councils, and modified by mutual interests. 

However combinations or associations of the above 
description may now and then answer popular ends, 
they are likely, in the course of time and things, to be- 
come potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and 
unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power 
of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of 
government ; destroying afterwards the very engines 
which lifted them to unjust dominion. 

Towards the preservation of your government, and 
the permanency of your present happy state, it is 
requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance 
irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but 
also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation 
upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One 
method of assault may be, to eflect in the forms of the 
constitution alterations which w ill impair the energy of 
the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be 
directly overthrowui. In all the changes to which you 

8 



58 Washington's farewell address. 

may be invited, remember that time and habit are at 
least as necessary to fix the true character of govern- 
ments, as of other human institutions ; that experience 
is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency 
of the existing constitution of a country; that facility 
in changes upon the credit of mere hypothesis and 
opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless 
variety of hypothesis and opinion ; and remember, es- 
pecially, that for the efficient management of your 
common interest, in a country so extensive as ours, a 
government of as much vigour as is consistent with the 
perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty, 
itself, will find in such a government, with power 
properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. 
It is indeed little else than a name, where the govern- 
ment is too feeble to vv^ithstand the enterprises of fac- 
tion, to confine each member of the society within the 
limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the 
secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person 
and property. 

I have already intimated to you the danger of parties 
in the state, with a particular reference to the founding 



WASHINGTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 59 

of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now 
take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the 
most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the 
spirit of party generally. 

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our 
nature, having its root in the strongest passions of 
the human mind. It exists, under different shapes, in 
all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or 
repressed ; but in those of the popular form, it is 
seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst 
enemy. 

The alternate dominion of one faction over another, 
sharpened by tlie spirit of re^'enge, natural to party 
dissension, which in different ages and countries has 
perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a fright- 
ful despotism. But this leads at length to a more 
formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and 
miseries which generally result, gradually incKne the 
minds of men to seek security and repose in the 
absolute power of an individual ; and, sooner or later, 
the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or 
more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposi- 



60 Washington's farewell address. 

lion to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins 
of pubUc Uberty. 

Without looking forward to an extremity of this 
kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of 
sight,) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit 
of party are suiiicient to make it the interest and duty 
of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. 

It serves always to distract the public councils, and 
enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the 
community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms ; 
kindles the animosity of one part against another ; 
foments occasionally riots and insurrection. It opens 
the door to foreign influence and corruption, which 
find a facilitated access to the government itself, 
through the channels of party passions. Thus the 
policy and the will of one country are subjected to the 
policy and will of another. 

There is an opinion that parties, in free countries, 
are useful checks upon the administration of the 
government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of 
liberty. This, within certain limits, is probably true ; 
and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism 



washii\gton's farewell address. 61 

may look with indulgence, if nol with favour, upon the 
spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, 
in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be 
encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is cer- 
tain there will always be enough of that spirit for 
every salutary purpose. And, there being constant 
danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of 
public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not 
to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to pre- 
vent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, 
it should consume. 

It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking 
in a free country, should inspire caution in those in- 
trusted wath its administration, to confine themselves 
within their respective constitutional spheres, avoid- 
ing, in the exercise of their powers of one department, 
to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroach- 
ment tends to consolidate the powers of the depart- 
ments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form 
of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of 
that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which 
predominates in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy 



62 Washington's farewell address. 

us of the truth of this position. The necessity of re- 
ciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by 
dividing and distributing it into different depositories, 
and constituting each the guardian of the public weal 
against invasions by others, has been evinced by ex- 
periments ancient and modern: some of them in our 
own country and under our own eyes. To preserve 
them must be as necessary as to institute them. If, in 
the opinion of the people, the distribution or modifi- 
cation of the constitutional powers be in any particular 
wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in a way 
which the constitution designates. But let there be no 
change by usurpation ; for though this, in one instance, 
may be the instrument of good, it is the customary 
weapon by which free governments are destroyed. 
The precedent must always greatly overbalance in 
permanent evil, any partial or transient benefit which 
the use can at any time yield. 

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to po- 
litical prosperity, Religion and Morality are indis- 
pensable supports. In vain would that man claim the 
tribute of patriotism, who should labour to subvert 



Washington's farewell address. 63 

these great pillars of liuQian happiness, these firmest 
props ol" the duties of men and citizens. The mere 
politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect 
and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their 
connexions with private and public felicity. Let it 
simply be asked, where is the security for property, 
for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obliga- 
tion desert the oaths, which arc the instruments of 
investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with 
caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be 
maintained without religion. Whatever may be con- 
ceded to the influence of refined education on minds of 
peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid 
us to expect that national morality can prevail in ex- 
clusion of religious principle. 

'Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a 
necessary spring of popular government. The rule 
indeed extends with more or less force to every species 
of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to 
it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake 
the foundation of the fabric 1 

Promote, then, as an object of primary importance. 



64 WASHINGTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 

institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In 
proportion as the structure of a government gives 
force to public opinion, it is essential that public 
opinion should be enlightened. 

As a very important source of strength and security, 
cherish public credit. One method of preserving it, is 
to use it as sparingly as possible ; avoiding occasions 
of expense by cultivathig peace ; but remembering also, 
that timely disbursements to prepare for danger, fre- 
quently prevent much greater disbursements to repel 
it ; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not 
only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigo- 
rous exertions, in time of peace, to discharge the debts 
which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not un- 
generously throwing upon posterity the burthen which 
we ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these 
maxims belongs to your representatives ; but it is 
necessary that pubHc opinion should co-operate. 

To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, 
it is essential that you should practically bear in mind, 
that towards the payment of debts there must be reve- 
nue ; that to have revenue, there must be taxes ; that 



WASHINGTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 65 

no taxes can be devised whicJi are not more or less 
inconvenient and unpleasant ; that the intrinsic embar- 
rassment inseparable from the selection of the proper 
ol)jects, (which is always a choice of diflicultics,) ought 
to be a decisive motive for candid construction of the 
conduct of the government in making it, and for the 
spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining 
revenue, which the public exigencies may at any time 
dictate. 

Observe good faith and justice towards all nations : 
cultivate peace and harmony with all : religion and 
morality enjoin this conduct ; and can it be, that good 
policy does not equally enjoin it ? It will be worthy of 
a free, enlightened, and at no distant period, a great 
nation, to giv^e to inankind the magnanimous and too 
novel example of a people always guided by an exalted 
justice and benevolence. Who can doubt, that in the 
course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan 
would richly repay any temporary advantages which 
might be lost by a steady adherence to it ? — Can it be 
that Providence has not connected the permanent fe- 
licity of a nation with its virtue ? The experiment, at 

9 



66 Washington's farewell address. 

least, is recommended by every sentiment which en- 
nobles human nature. Alas ! is it rendered impossible 
by its vices ? 

In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more 
essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies 
against particular nations, and passionate attachments 
for others, should be excluded; and that in the place 
of them, just and amicable feehngs towards all should 
be cultivated. The nation which indulges towards an- 
other an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in 
some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or 
to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it 
astray from its duty and its interests. Antipathy in 
one nation against another, disposes each more readily 
to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes 
of umbrage, and to be haughty and untractable, when 
accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. 

Hence, frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and 
bloody contests. The nation, prompted by ill-will and 
resentment, sometimes impels to war the government, 
contrary to the best calculations of policy. The go- 
vernment sometimes participates in the national pro- 



Washington's farewell address. C7 

pensity, and adopts, through passion, what reason 
would reject ; at other times it makes the animosity 
of the nation subservient to projects of hostihty, insti- 
gated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and per- 
nicious motives. The peace often, sometimes perhaps 
the Hberty of nations, has been the victim. 

So hkewise, a passionate attachment of one nation 
to another, produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for 
the favourite nation, facilitating the illusion of ima- 
ginary common interest, in cases where no real com- 
mon interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities 
of the other, betrays the former into a participation 
in the quarrels and wars of the latter, without adequate 
inducement or justification. It leads also to conces- 
sions to the favourite nation of privileges denied to 
others, which is apt doubly to injure the nation making 
the concessions, by unnecessarily parting with what 
ought to have been retained ; and by exciting jealousy, 
ill-will, and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties 
from whom equal privileges are withheld ; and it gives 
to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens, who devote 
themselves to the favourite nation, facility to betray or 



68 Washington's farewell address. 

sacrifice the interests of their own country, without 
odium, sometiuies even with popularity ; gilding with 
the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a 
commendable deference for public opinion, or a laud- 
able zeal for public good, the base or foolish com- 
pliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation. 

As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, 
such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly 
enlightened and independent patriot. How many op- 
portunities do they afford to tamper with domestic 
factions, to practise the arts of seduction, to mislead 
public opinion, to influence or awe the public councils! 
Such an attachment of a small or weak, towards a 
great and powerful nation, dooms the former to be the 
satellite of the latter. 

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I 
conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy 
of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since 
history and experience prove that foreign influence is 
one of the most baneful foes of republican government. 
But that jealousy to be useful, must be impartial ; else 
it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be 



WASHINGTOi\'S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 69 

avoided, instead of a defence against it. Excessive 
partiality for one foreign nation, and excessive dislike 
for another, cause those whom they actuate to see 
danger only on one side, and serve to veil, and e\'en to 
second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, 
who may resist the intrigues of the favourite, are liable 
to become suspected and odious; while its tools and 
dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, 
to surrender their interests. 

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign 
nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to 
have with them as little political connexion as possible. 
So far as w^e have already formed engagements, let 
them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us 
stop. 

Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us 
have none, or a very remote, relation. Hence, she 
must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of 
which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, 
therefore, it must be mnvise in us to implicate ourselves, 
by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her 



70 Washington's farewell address. 

politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of 
her friendships or enmities. 

Our detached and distant situation invites and enables 
us to pursue a different course. If we remain one peo- 
ple, under an efficient government, the period is not far 
off, when we may defy material injury from external 
annoyance ; when we may take such an attitude as will 
cause the neutrality, we may at any time resolve upon, 
to be scrupulously respected ; when belligerent nations, 
under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon 
us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; 
when we may choose peace or war, as our interest, 
guided by justice, shall counsel. 

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situa- 
tion 1 Why quit our own to stand upon foreign 
ground ? 

Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any 
part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in 
the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, 
humour, or caprice? 

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alii- 



Washington's farewell address. 71 

ances, with any portion ol' tlic foreign world ; so far, I 
mean, as we are now at liberty to do it : for let me not 
be understood as capable of patronising inildelity to 
existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less appli- 
cable to public than to private afiairs, that honesty is 
always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those 
engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, 
in my opinion, it is unnecessary, and would be unwise, 
to extend them. 

Taking care always to keep ourselves, by suitable 
establishments, in a respectable defensive posture, we 
may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordi- 
nary emergencies- 
Harmony and a liberal intercourse with all nations, 
are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest. 
But even our commercial policy should hold an equal 
and impartial hand; neither seeking nor granting ex- 
clusive favours or preferences ; consulting the natural 
course of things ; diffusing and diversifying by gentle 
means, the streams of commerce, but forcing nothing ; 
establishing, with powers so disposed, in order to give 
trade a stable course, to defend the rights of our mer- 



72 Washington's farewell address. 

chants, and to enable the government to support them, 
conventional rules of intercourse, the best that circum- 
stances and mutual opinion will permit, but temporary, 
and liable to be from time to time abandoned or varied, 
as experience and circumstances shall dictate ; con- 
stantly keeping in view, that it is folly in one nation to 
look for disinterested favours from another ; that it must 
pay with a portion of its independence for whatever it 
may accept under that character ; that by such accep- 
tance it may place itself in the condition of having 
given equivalents for nominal favours, and yet of being 
reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. 
There can be no greater error than to expect or 
calculate upon real favours from nation to nation. It 
is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just 
pride ought to discard. 

In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of 
an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will 
make the strong and lasting impression I could wish ; 
that they will control the usual current of the passions, 
or prevent our nation from running the course which 
has hitherto marked the destiny of nations. But, if I 



Washington's farewell address. 73 

may even flatter myself, that they may be productive 
of some partial benefit, some occasional good ; that 
they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of 
party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign 
intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended 
patriotism ; this hope will be a full recompense for the 
solicitude for your welfare, by which they have been 
dictated. 

How far, in the discharge of my official duties 1 
have been guided by the principles that have been 
delineated, the public records, and other evidences of 
my conduct, must witness to you and the world. To 
myself, the assurance of my own conscience is, that I 
have at least believed myself to be guided by them. 

In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my 
proclamation of the 22d of April, 1793, is the index to 
my plan. Sanctioned by your approving voice and by 
that of your Representatives in both Houses of Con- 
gress, the spirit of that measure has continually 
governed me; uninfluenced by any attempts to deter 
or divert me from it. 

After deliberate examination, with the aid of the 

10 



74 Washington's farewell address. 

best lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our 
country, under all the circumstances of the case, had 
a right to take, and was bound in duty and in interest, 
to take a neutral position. Having taken it, I deter- 
mined, as far as should depend upon me, to maintain 
it wath moderation, perseverance, and firmness. 

The considerations which respect the right to hold 
this conduct, it is not necessary, on this occasion to 
detail. I will only observe, that according to my 
understanding of the matter, that right, so far from 
being denied by any of the belligerent powers has been 
virtually admitted by all. 

The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be in- 
ferred, without any thing more, from the obligations 
which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in 
cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate 
the relations of peace and amity towards other nations. 

The inducements of interest for observing that con- 
duct, will best be referred to your own reflections and 
experience. With me, a predominant motive has been 
to endeavour to gain time to our country to settle 
and mature its yet recent institutions, and to progress 



Washington's farewell address. 75 

without interruption to that degree of strength and 
consistency, which is necessary to give it, humanly 
speaking, the command of its own fortunes. 

Though, in reviewing the incidents of my adminis- 
tration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am 
nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it 
probable that I may have committed many errors. 
Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Al- 
mighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they 
may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that 
my country will never cease to view them with in- 
dulgence ; and that after forty-five years of my life 
dedicated to its service, with an upright zeal, the 
faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to 
oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions 
of rest. 

Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, 
and actuated by that fervent love towards it, which 
is so natural to a man, who views in it the native 
soil of himself and his progenitors for several gene- 
rations; I anticipate with pleasing expectation, that 
retreat, in which I promise myself to realize, without 



76 Washington's farewell address. 

alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst 
of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good 
laws under a free government ; the ever favourite 
object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, 
of our mutual cares, labours, and dangers. 

G. WASHINGTON. 

United States, Sept. 17th, 1796. 



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